The Best Water Bottles For Dogs
Like humans, dogs need to drink water regularly. When you're on the go, it's not always easy to find clean water or to dispense it to your dog in a way that they can drink it. After all, dogs lap water; they don't gulp it from a bottle or a cup the way humans do. This is why the dog water bottle is an essential addition to your dog gear. These specially designed containers incorporate small bowls and cups that attach directly to the end of the bottle, allowing your dog to drink while the water flows out. Rather than taking a separate water bottle and bowl along with you on your next walk or hike, just pack one of these convenient dispensers. Choosing the right water bottle can be difficult, however, so while doing our research, we focused on a few key features that make the best models stand out from the rest. A good dog water bottle should be compact, so you can carry it anywhere. It should also offer a bowl big enough for your dog to lap water from. Most importantly, it should be durable, made from high-quality, non-toxic plastic that is safe to drink from and won't degrade over time. The Highwave AutoDogMug checks off all of these boxes, which is why we think it's the best bottle for most people (and dogs). We also loved the Tuff Pupper PupFlask, which boasts a rugged steel body and oversized drinking cup. Read on to discover all of our favorite dog water bottles and why we loved them so much.
Highwave AutoDogMug
One-handed hydration
You know you’ve hit on an ingenious product when counterfeits begin popping up around the web, which is exactly what’s happened with this dog water bottle from Highwave. Made by a family-owned business in Southern California, the bottle has been copied by various companies over the years, all with lesser success. So what’s so great about this water bottle, after all? It has a little bowl on top of the bottle for your dog to drink from. When you want to give water to your dog, you just squeeze the bottle and Highwave’s patented one-hand hydration system does the rest. Water flows through a specially designed valve into the bowl. When your dog is finished drinking, just release your squeeze, and the remaining water in the bowl flows right back into the bottle so you don’t waste a drop. This 20 oz bottle doesn’t leak, it fits in standard cup holders, and it’s BPA-free. Accept no substitutes, and keep your dog hydrated with the Highway AutoDogMug.
Pros:
- Unlike other bottles on the market, this one really does work with just one hand, leaving the other free to pat our pup on the head.
- Other bottles rely on gravity to function, requiring that you tip them over to release the liquid. This one works upright, with any unused water draining back into the bottle, making it way more efficient.
- We love that the bottle comes in a few different colors, so we can match it to our existing dog gear.
Cons:
- Because the bottle is so popular, many Chinese counterfeits abound, so you’ll have to be careful when shopping for it.
MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle
H2O on demand
This terrific dog water bottle from MalsiPree comes in two sizes — 12 oz and 19oz — to give you options of how much water you want to carry with you. It also comes in two colors — blue and pink — if you’re into the whole gender color-coding thing. The silica gel seal ring keeps the bottle from leaking when you’re not using it. To use this bottle to give your dog water, you just press a button, and water comes out into the bowl. When you’re not using it, you just press the lock button, which — you guessed it — locks the water in the bottle. The bottle is made from FDA-approved, BPA-free, food-grade material for toxin-free hydration.
Pros:
- Thanks to the innovative one-button design, this is one of the easiest bottles on the market to operate.
- Unlike other models on the market, this one doesn’t seem to leak, so we don’t have to worry about keeping it in our bag with other items.
- The built-in wrist loop, which helps keep the bottle secure during drink time, is a nice touch.
Cons:
- Though it holds a good amount of water, this bottle is a bit bigger than others out there.
M&Mkpet Dog Water Bottle
Quench your canine's thirst
This is another great choice for dog water bottles from M&Mkpet. It’s available in a 12 or 18 oz size, depending on how much your dog drinks. With the button-activated water dispenser, you can dispense a little bit of water in the bowl, just enough for your dog to drink without contaminating the rest of the water in the bottle with saliva. On a hot day, you can put ice in the bottle, and it will stay in the bottle because the water hole is so small. Made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone, this bottle is both non-toxic and durable; it will serve your dog watering needs for a long time.
Pros:
- We love that this bottle comes in two sizes, making it suitable for various dog breeds.
- We like that we can start or stop the flow of liquid quickly, allowing us to better conserve water.
- We appreciate that this bottle is more affordably priced than similar ones, and doesn’t seem to sacrifice quality.
Cons:
- Though it gets the job done, it may not be the most durable option out there.
Tuff Pupper PupFlask Portable Water Bottle
Rugged and ready
The sleek and effective design of this dog water bottle from Tuff Pupper makes it one of the best out there. It comes in 27 and 40 oz sizes, making it the top choice for big dogs. The bottle is made from stainless steel, which means it can weather abuse and will not leak any toxins into the water. It has a leaf-shaped bowl that conveniently flips up to give water and then flips down when done. The bowl is FDA-approved and BPA- free, and its leaf shape makes it very easy for your dog to drink from it. This bottle is so good, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros:
- The stainless steel construction makes this bottle both more durable and safer than other options on the market, since it contains no plastic.
- We love how the leaf-shaped bowl flips down over the bottle, which helps it take up less space in our bag.
- At 27 and 40 oz sizes, this bottle boasts one of the largest capacities of any option out there, making it an ideal choice for larger dogs or for longer trips.
Cons:
- Because it’s bigger than other options, this one isn’t great for shorter walks or hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a dog water bottle and a regular water bottle?
The main difference is in the cap or dispenser. A dog water bottle has a little bowl or container to hold water attached to the top that you dispense water into for your dog to lap up.
How big of a water bottle do I need for my dog?
That really depends on how much water your dog drinks and how long you want the water to last in between refills. Generally smaller bottles are for smaller dogs, and bigger bottles are for bigger dogs. But for longer trips, you will want a bigger bottle for any sized dog.
Are these bottles insulated?
None of the bottles we reviewed are insulated. Typically it is not as important to keep water for dogs at a particular temperature, and so typically dog water bottles are not insulated. On a hot day, toss some ice cubes in the bottle to keep the water cool for a period. But they will eventually melt in the heat.
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